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"It has been quite a journey to reach this milestone," said Dean Rudy Hasl, a few minutes before the final steel beam was raised into place at Thomas Jefferson School of Law's new Downtown Campus in San Diego's East 
Village.
Everyone in the law school family was invited and the event took place on December 3 -- as Dean Hasl noted -- construction began almost exactly a year ago, on December 4, 2008.
Pointing up at the building rising behind him, the Dean said, "That's a major accomplishment in the period of one year and there are so many thanks that need to go to all of those involved in the construction process itself."
Special thanks went out to the TJSL Board of Trustees. "Without your commitment to this project we wouldn't be here today," Dean Hasl said.
Following tradition, the fin
al beam had an evergreen tree attached, as well as a flag which had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. There was also a brand new Thomas Jefferson School of Law flag hanging mid-beam - and everyone lined up to sign the piece of steel before it was hoisted.
And after the brief ceremony - whoosh! -- just like that the crane lifted the beam up and over the roof line as everyone clapped and cheered.
It was indeed a milestone for the project, which is running ahead of schedule and millions under budget.
The next big milestone will be its dedication before the first classes are held in January 2011. If today was any indication, this next year will be go by really fast!